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By James Gilmore, Denver, Colorado
Metropolitan Tee Times
 USGTF
Members
Most
USGTF members are entrepreneurs, well educated, and successful in
other areas of life. What's more, they all love to teach golf. Because
of their experiences from various walks of life, USGTF members find
employment or create their own. They occupy all aspects of the golf
teaching industry from head professionals at private and public golf
courses, to those working at driving ranges, golf schools, indoor
facilities, high schools, colleges and private teaching enterprises.
World Golf Teachers Federation
But the story does not end
here. There's a global twist to all of this. In 1989, Bryant noticed an incredible number
of foreigners traveling here to the United States to get certified. Their sentiments were
always the same: they wanted to teach, not work as apprentices. Their own countries were not
established to provide certification. Hence, the birth of the "World Golf Teachers Federation."
Established in 1991, the WGTF is now the world's largest organization of golf teaching professionals.
It boasts over 18,000 members and is comprised of 35 member nation federations. Because of
help initially from USGTF examiners, all member nations are now conducting their own golf
teaching certification courses.
One Universal Umbrella
According to
Bryant, "It's simply a matter of history repeating itself.
In the 1960's and early 70's, all ski resorts in this country hired
Austrian and Swiss instructors. Similarly, tennis resorts hired
Australian teachers. With the advent and growth of those teaching
federations in our own country, these sports now depend mostly on
United States citizens. Additionally, teaching professionals prefer
to belong to an organization that represents their own country.
The great thing about the World Golf Teachers Federation is that
it ties us all together under one universal umbrella, so that we
can benefit from interacting and sharing ideas with one another."
WGTF Responsibilities
"All member nation federations
adhere to the WGTF charter of bylaws, that has established a standard of uniformity and quality
of golf instruction throughout the world. These bylaws were established to protect the rights
of teaching professionals, and to provide certain obligations and benefits to each member
nation. Furthermore, the WGTF is responsible for administering the annual World Golf Teachers
Cup and Conference. This is a six-day event held alternately in the United States and Europe.
It brings together golf teaching professionals from all over the world, plus provides the
opportunity to compete, exchange ideas, and foster life-long friendships."
Next: Part III
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